Supplemental data transmission for network transactions

ABSTRACT

Techniques are described for using a supplemental data layer of a real time payments channel to send data. For example, an entity may request a transaction with another entity, and the transaction may be performed using a channel that includes a supplemental data layer. Supplemental data, in addition to the data for the transaction itself, may be communicated using the supplemental data layer to entities involved in the transaction, and/or to third parties. The supplemental data may be sent in real time with respect to the sending of the data for the transaction. In some instances, supplemental data layer is present in one or both directions in the two-way communications between the entities involved in the transaction. The supplemental data layer can be leveraged to provide additional information and/or services to a user involved in the transaction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure is related to, and claims priority to, U.S.Provisional patent Application Ser. No. 62/469,035, titled “SupplementalData for Network Transactions,” which was filed on Mar. 9, 2017, and theentirety of which is incorporated by reference into the presentdisclosure.

BACKGROUND

Currently, various systems are available to perform settlement betweeninstitutions following a purchase or other transaction. Such systemsinclude the Automated Clearing House (ACH) and the Society for WorldwideInterbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) network. For example, auser may attempt to make a purchase from a merchant. A system may checkthe user's bank to see if the user's specified account holds availablefunds to cover the transaction. If so, the transaction may be approved.The user's account may be debited, and a settlement process may later beperformed to move the appropriate funds from the user's bank to themerchant's bank. The Clearing House (TCH) has proposed a real timepayments (RTP) channel that includes the ability to send other data inaddition to the information needed to perform the settlement.

SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directedcommunicating data over networks. More particularly, implementations ofthe present disclosure are directed to communicating data betweenentities using a supplemental data layer of a channel used tocommunicate transaction information between entities.

In general, implementations of innovative aspects of the subject matterdescribed in this specification can be embodied in a method thatincludes the following operations: detecting a transaction for a firstitem, wherein the transaction is executed based on transaction data thatis transmitted, over at least one network, using a transaction datalayer of a communication channel that provides the transaction datalayer and a supplemental data layer; generating supplemental data thatdescribes a second item associated with the first item; and transmittingthe supplemental data to at least one entity involved in thetransaction, wherein the supplemental data is transmitted using thesupplemental data layer of the communication channel, and wherein thetransmitting of the supplemental data is performed in real time inresponse to detecting the transaction.

These and other implementations can each optionally include one or moreof the following innovative aspects: the generating of the supplementaldata is performed in real time in response to detecting the transaction;the supplemental data includes an offer of the second item to the atleast one entity; the second item is a policy for the first item; thesupplemental data includes a description of the policy to the at leastone entity; the second item is an account to be opened to facilitate thetransaction; the supplemental data includes an offer to the at least oneentity to open the account; the first item is a vehicle; the operationsfurther include establishing an interactive session with the at leastone entity using the supplemental data layer of the communicationchannel; and/or the supplemental data is transmitted to the at least oneentity during the interactive session.

Other implementations of any of the above aspects include correspondingmethods, apparatus, and/or computer programs that are configured toperform the actions of the system. The present disclosure also providesa computer-readable storage medium coupled to one or more processors andhaving instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one ormore processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operationsin accordance with implementations of the methods provided herein. Thepresent disclosure further provides a system for implementing themethods provided herein. The system includes one or more processors, anda computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processorshaving instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one ormore processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operationsin accordance with implementations of the methods provided herein.

The implementations described herein provide at least the followingtechnical advantages and/or technical improvements compared topreviously available techniques. Through use of a channel that includesa supplemental data layer for communicating supplemental data in realtime with respect to the communication of transaction data,implementations communicate information more efficiently compared totraditional solutions that require a separate channel to communicatesupplemental data. Thus, implementations provide for more efficient useof network bandwidth than traditional solutions. Moreover, by using thechannel to communicate supplemental data in real time with respect totransaction data, implementations enable the communication ofsupplemental data that is more timely and relevant, compared totraditional solutions in which data sent asynchronously with respect tothe transaction may be out-of-date or less time-relevant. Using thechannel also enables implementations to execute and automate dependentsecondary (e.g., non-monetary) transactions in a process with (e.g., inreal time with) a primary (e.g., monetary) transaction. The presence ofthe supplemental data allows for non-monetary parts of the process to belinked to the monetary part. For example, once a payoff is processed andsettled in real time, a title transfer transaction can be initiated inan automated fashion without additional manual or separate processingusing the supplemental data communicated in the supplemental data layer,such data being the asset (e.g., vehicle or home) title itself, titleidentifiers, metadata, and so forth.

It is appreciated that implementations in accordance with the presentdisclosure can include any combination of the aspects and featuresdescribed herein. That is, implementations in accordance with thepresent disclosure are not limited to the combinations of aspects andfeatures specifically described herein, but also include any otherappropriate combinations of the aspects and features provided.

The details of one or more implementations of the present disclosure areset forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example system for using a supplemental data layer ofa communication channel, according to implementations of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of an example process for communicatingdata over a supplemental data layer of a communication channel,according to implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an example process for interceding in atransaction using a supplemental data layer, according toimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of an example process for collecting andanalyzing data sent over a supplemental data layer, according toimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example computing system, according to implementationsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to systems,devices, methods, and computer-readable media for using a supplementaldata layer of a real time payments (RTP) channel to send data. Forexample, a user may request a transaction with another party, such asanother user or an entity (e.g., a merchant). The settlement for thetransaction (e.g., transfer of funds between financial institutions) maybe performed using a payment channel that includes a supplemental datalayer, such as the channel provided by The Clearing House (TCH).Additional data, in addition to the data associated with the fundstransfer itself, may be communicated in the supplemental data layer ofthe channel to one or more of the entities involved in the transaction,and/or to a third party. The additional data may be sent in real timewith respect to the sending of the payment to settle the transaction. Insome instances, supplemental data layer is present in one or bothdirections in the two-way payment communications between the payer andpayee, e.g., the customer and merchant banks. Implementations canleverage the supplemental data layer to offer additional products and/orservices to a user involved in the transaction, or to send other typesof data. Such products and/or services may be offered in real time withrespect to the transaction processing using the channel. Implementationsmay also leverage the supplemental data layer to provide improved userexperience in other ways.

In some instances, the data sent over the supplemental data layer may beused to trigger real time communications with a user, such as ShortMessage Service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages,messages sent to a (e.g., mobile) application, and so forth. The datareceived on the supplemental data layer of the channel can be captured,stored, and/or processed to provide a richer user experience, offeradditional products and services, and/or perform other operations.Various types and/or formats of data may be sent over the supplementaldata layer, including but not limited to unformatted data, HypertextMarkup Language (HTML) data, HTML5 data, text data, video data, audiodata, active or executable data (e.g., dynamic scripts, code), and soforth.

In some implementations, the supplemental data layer is used tocommunicate additional data to and/or from entities involved in atransaction (e.g., such as customers and merchants), where thecommunicated additional data is other than the data that is sent toprocess the payment itself. Additional data may also be communicated toand/or from third parties not directly involved in the transaction,using the supplemental data layer. In some implementations, the realtime aspect of the channel, and its supplemental data layer, may beleveraged to monitor transactions and intercede, when appropriate, toperform operations in real time to provide services to a user, such asreal time financial counseling. In some implementations, the datacommunicated over the supplemental data layer may be collected andanalyzed (e.g., off line, not in real time) to offer richer experiencesto users, generate product offers to users, determine discounts onservices for users, and so forth.

As used herein, supplemental data generally describes data other thandata that is sent to perform, and/or settle, a transaction such as apurchase. For example, transaction data may be data for a funds transferperformed as a settlement between two institutions, such as a buyer'sbank and a seller's bank. The supplemental data layer may be used tosend supplemental data such as an offer, sent to the buyer, to purchaseanother product. The other product may be different than the particularproduct purchased in the transaction, but may be related in some way.For example, based on a vehicle purchase, the supplemental data layermay be used to send an offer to purchase accessory products such as seatcovers, an in-vehicle audio system, and so forth. Accordingly, thesupplemental data sent over the supplemental data layer may be differentfrom the transactional data, but may be peripherally and/or indirectlyrelated to the transactional data. Supplemental data may also bedescribed as rich data, and the supplemental data layer may also bedescribed as a rich data layer.

In some implementations, the supplemental data is sent over thesupplemental data layer in real time with respect to detecting thetransaction and/or with respect to the sending of the transactional dataover the communication channel. A real time process describes a processthat is performed in response to detecting a triggering event, in whichthe real time process is performed without any unnecessary delayfollowing the triggering event, apart from the delay that is incurreddue to the limitations (e.g., speed, bandwidth) of any networks beingused, transfer of data between system components, memory access speed,processing speed, and/or computing resources. A real time process may beperformed within a short period of time following the detection of thetriggering event, and/or may be performed at least partly concurrentlywith the triggering event. A triggering event may be the receipt of acommunication, the detection of a particular system state, and/or othertypes of events. In some instances, a real time process is performedwithin a same execution path, such as within a same process or thread,as the triggering event. In some instances, a real time process isperformed by a different process or thread that is created or requestedby a process that detects the triggering event. A real time process mayalso be described as synchronous with respect to the triggering event.

In some implementations, the generation and/or transmission of thesupplemental data, using the supplemental data layer of thecommunication channel, is performed in real time with respect todetecting the associated transaction and/or with respect to thetransmission of the transaction data for the transaction using thetransaction data layer. For example, the supplemental data can begenerated and/or transmitted in response to a triggering event that isthe detection of the transaction that uses the communication channel tosend the associated transaction data. A triggering event may also be adetermination that the transaction data satisfies particular criteria,either alone or in combination with other data.

FIG. 1 depicts an example system 100 for using a supplemental data layerof a communication channel, according to implementations of the presentdisclosure. In the example shown, the system 100 includes user device(s)104(1) and 104(2) that are owned, operated, and/or otherwise associated,respectively, with users 102(1) and 102(2). For example, the users102(1) and 102(2) may be a buyer and seller that are engaged in atransaction, such as a purchase of a product. The user devices 104(1)and 104(2) may be any suitable type of computing device. In someinstances, one or both of the user devices 104(1) and 104(2) areportable computing devices, such as a smartphone, tablet computer,wearable computer, and so forth. In one example, the user device 104(1)may be a purchaser's portable computing device, and the user device104(2) may be a point-of-sale (POS) such as a dedicated POS terminal ora portable computing device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) runningsoftware that enables the device 104(2) to operate as a POS device of amerchant or other seller.

The example system 100 also includes institutional server devices 112(1)and 112(2), and third party device(s) 114. Each of these may include anysuitable number and/or type of computing device, including device(s)that provide distributed computing services (e.g., for cloud computing).The institutional server device(s) 112(1) and 112(2) may be operated by,or otherwise associated with, institutions involved in settlement of oneor more transactions, such as banks, credit unions, and so forth. Insome instances, the third party device(s) 114 may be operated by, orotherwise associated with, entities other than the institutionsassociated with the device(s) 112(1) and 112(2). In some instances, thethird party device(s) 114 may be operated by, or otherwise associatedwith, one or both of the institutions associated with the device(s)112(1) and 112(2).

The computing devices of the example system 100, such as the devices104(1), 104(2), 112(1), 112(2), and/or 114, may communicate using acommunication channel 106. In some examples, the communication channel106 is a channel that supports settlement or other transactionprocessing between institutions, such as a channel provided by TCH. Thechannel 106 may include a transaction data layer 108 to communicatetransaction data, such as funds transfer data communicated as part of asettlement process between the institutional server device(s) 112(1) and112(2). The channel 106 may also include a supplemental data layer 110to communicate supplemental data other than the transaction data.

In some instances, any of the computing devices of the system 100 maymonitor and access the data being sent over the transaction data layer108 and the supplemental data layer 110. In some instances, the devicesmay have differing privileges to access the communicated data. Forexample, the device(s) 112(1) and 112(2) may be permitted to access thetransaction data sent over the transaction data layer 108, but otherdevice(s) may not be permitted to access such data, and may access thesupplemental data sent over the supplemental data layer 110.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram 200 of an example process forcommunicating data over a supplemental data layer of a communicationchannel, according to implementations of the present disclosure.Operations of the process may be performed by software module(s)executing on one or more of the user device 104(1), the user device104(2), the institutional server device(s) 112(1), the institutionalserver device(s) 112(2), the third party device(s) 114, and/orelsewhere.

A transaction is detected (202), the transaction being performed and/orsettled using the transaction data layer 108 of the channel 106. Thetransaction is analyzed (204). Based on the result of the analysis,supplemental data is generated, retrieved from storage, or otherwisedetermined (206). The supplemental data is determined to be sent torecipient entities, such as one or more of the entities involved in thetransaction and/or one or more third parties (e.g., entities notdirectly involved in the transaction). The supplemental data istransmitted (208) to the determined recipient entities. In someimplementations, the supplemental data is determined and/or transmittedto the recipient entities in real time with respect to the transactionand/or its settlement.

Implementations support the sending of supplemental data to recipiententities in various scenarios. For example, as part of a transaction topurchase a vehicle, payment may be processed using the channel 106, andthe supplemental data layer 110 could be used for releasing and/ortransferring title to the vehicle, making a title request from agovernment agency, and/or updating the title that is recorded with thegovernment agency to include updated owner information. In someinstances, the title may not be transferred if the funds transfer fails.Alternatively, the title transfer may be processed after the fundstransfer is complete. The supplemental data layer 110 may also beemployed to send the buyer an offer for insurance, purchase insurance,issue an insurance policy, and/or other operations.

In some examples, the supplemental data layer 110 may be used to send areal time offer of financing to the buyer. Such an offer may be acounter-offer to the seller's (e.g., the dealer's) offer of financing.Implementations may also enable a back-end loan to be presented to theseller as a payment, from the point of view of the seller. For example,a vehicle dealer may receive a payment, and a third party entity may beproviding the funds as a loan to the buyer, such that the seller is notaware that a loan has been made. The supplemental data layer 110 mayenable a real time loan application to be sent to the buyer. The buyermay fill out the application through an application executing on theiruser device, and the completed application may be communicated to thelender over the supplemental data layer 110. The lender may example theapplication, determine whether to approve the loan application, and (inthe case of approval) release the funds to the dealer using the channel106. The channel 106 may be used to communicate the funds for a downpayment from the buyer, followed by a loan acquisition by lender, fundstransfer to the seller, and title transfer from seller to buyer. Any orall of the steps described above may be automated or otherwisefacilitated using the supplemental data communication capabilities ofthe channel 106.

In some examples, a user may be sent, from a third party such as aninsurer, a real time offer to purchase insurance for a vehicle rental inresponse to detecting that the user is engaged in a transaction to renta vehicle. The insurer may also use the supplemental data layer to send,to the rental company, information regarding the user who is renting thevehicle, such as user preferences, previously rented cars,recommendations, and so forth.

In some examples, the supplemental data layer may be employed to offerand provide micro-insurance to a vehicle renting user. If a user doesnot normally carry vehicle insurance (e.g., if they do not own avehicle), but the user wants vehicle insurance while they are using arented vehicle, the real time data capabilities of the supplemental datalayer enable an insurer to provide real time insurance payment andactivation for micro-insurance, to insure the user specifically for theperiod of time when the user is using the rented vehicle, and/orspecifically for the distance that the user drives the vehicle.

Information regarding insurance claims settlement, repairs, annuities,and so forth may be sent to the user over the supplemental data layer,for example, in real time in response to detecting a transaction with arepair shop and/or detecting an accident (e.g., using telematicssensors, etc.). These and other features would be implemented in view ofthe relevant applicable insurance regulations. The supplemental datalayer may also be used to incentivize the user to make certainpurchases. For example, based on a detected payment for vehicle serviceat a repair shop, a third party such as an insurer could offer adiscount on insurance based on a detected number of maintenance events(e.g., service appointments) exceeding a threshold number, thusrewarding the user for good maintenance habits.

In some instances, a third party such as an insurer could use thechannel to pay a merchant in real time for an insurance claim. Forexample, a windshield may be damaged and a mobile glass repair servicemay arrive on site to fix the windshield of the insured user. The repairservice may be paid using the transaction data layer of the channel, andthe insurance claim processing may be handled in real time using thesupplemental data layer of the channel. Similar processing may beperformed for purchases from merchants to replace stolen items that arecovered by an insurance policy. An insurance claim may be used as theevent that triggers the payment to the repair shop, merchant, and soforth. As another example, after repairing a vehicle, the repair shopmay not release the vehicle until the shop has received the deductible.An insurer could use the channel to pay the deductible in real time. Ingeneral, the interaction of claims with final real time payments may bemanaged over the channel using the transaction data layer in conjunctionwith the supplemental data layer, to minimize the delay in starting arepair, replacing an item, and so forth. If the insured user lackssufficient funds to pay a repair shop, for example, an insurer may offera micro-loan on the back end to ensure that the user can use theirvehicle immediately, and such a micro-loan may be processed using thesupplemental data layer as described above.

An insured could determine that the user needs the micro-loan based onuser-provided information, or other data regarding the user.Implementations provide for a combination of the payment and theprocessing of the insurance loan in real time. The micro-loan may beprovided to enable a user to pay a deductible associated with a vehicleinsurance claim, or other type of insurance claim. The channel may beemployed to send the payment, corresponding to the micro-loan, to therepair shop. The supplemental data layer may also be used to offer adiscount if maintenance is done with regularity, as described above. Anyor all of these payments and/or data may be communicated over thechannel 106.

Implementations also support the real time offer and/or processing ofapplications for insurance to cover other types of items, other thanvehicles. For example, a third party insurer could monitor transactionsover the channel and detect large value purchases for electronics,appliances, etc., and make a real time offer of an insurance policy tocover the purchased items (e.g., real time relative to the transaction).Offer of the policy, the user's acceptance, issuance of the policy, andcollecting a premium may all be performed in real time using thesupplemental data layer. Similarly, a user may be offered travelinsurance based on detecting the purchase of an air fare, hotel room,etc. Short term insurance policies could also be offered for small itemsthat are borrowed by the user. For example, the user could borrow thesurfboard owned by another individual, and the owner of the surfboardcould ask the user to take out an insurance policy to cover damage to,or loss of, the surfboard. A third party insurer could offer the policy,and receive approval and payment in real time using the channel. Ingeneral, the supplemental data layer could enable insurance policyoffers, approval and issuance to occur in real time along with whateverpayments are received to activate the policy.

In some implementations, a request-to-pay feature may be supportedthrough the channel and its supplemental data layer. For example, afirst user may need help paying a bill, and may send the billinformation to a second user who consents to pay the bill for the firstuser. In some instances, the information that is sent to the second usermay be filtered to remove, or obfuscate, the particular details such asthe account number, account balance, and so forth, to preserve theprivacy of the first user. The funds to pay the bill may beautomatically taken from the second user's account, and sent directly toan electric bill payment system, instead of being sent to the firstuser's account. The supplemental data layer may facilitate suchfunctionality. Additionally, a merchant could send a request to payinvoice to a second user designated as the payer by the first user.

In some instances, an entity (e.g., bank or other institution) mayprovide a debt consolidation loan to a user, the channel may be used toensure that the loaned funds are actually used to pay off the user'svarious debts. For example, the lender may make the payments directly tothe parties that are owed by the user, with the user's permission.Payments may be made in real time, and the supplemental data layer maybe used to convey information identifying the user (e.g., user name,identification number), the debts or accounts being paid off (e.g.,account number), and/or other relevant information. The supplementaldata layer may also be used to convey information to close theaccount(s) that are paid off on behalf of the user and with the user'sauthorization, instead of relying on the user to do that themselves. Thesupplemental data layer may also convey information confirming that theaccount(s) have been closed.

In some instances, such as where a user is unable to use a personalcheck to make a payment (e.g., e.g., if a landlord does not trust theuser's check), an entity may use the channel to make a payment in placeof a check, on behalf of the user. The supplemental data layer can beused to send certification information indicating that the paying entity(e.g., financial institution) certifies these funds. The funds may besent to the recipient's account with the certification information(e.g., such as a digital certificate or other security credential) inreal time, as a certified electronic payment. The user may authorizethis payment to be made directly as a push payment to the account of therecipient. In this example, the communication of certificationinformation over the supplemental data layer may provide the recipientwith confidence that the funds will be made available in real time.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram 300 of an example process for intercedingin a transaction using a supplemental data layer, according toimplementations of the present disclosure. Operations of the process maybe performed by software module(s) executing on one or more of the userdevice 104(1), the user device 104(2), the institutional serverdevice(s) 112(1), the institutional server device(s) 112(2), the thirdparty device(s) 114, and/or elsewhere.

A requested or attempted transaction (e.g., purchase) is detected (302),the transaction being requested or attempted over the channel 106. Thetransaction is analyzed (304). Based on the result of the analysis, acommunication session may be initiated (306) using the supplemental datalayer 110. The session may enable communication between one or more ofthe parties involved in the transaction and/or third parties who mayintercede in some way to prevent, facilitate, or provide real timeinformation regarding the transaction. The session may be an interactivesession between the parties, with communications during the sessionbeing carried over the supplemental data layer. Based on thecommunication session, a determination may be made (308) whether toproceed with the transaction or to not proceed with the transaction.

For example, based on detecting a possible purchase by a user over thetransaction data layer, an entity (e.g., bank, financial counselingservice, and so forth) can offer real time financial counseling to helpthe user make a sound decision and/or avoid a mistake. In someinstances, a purchase amount may be compared to a budget, financialplan, spending rule, and/or other constraints put in place on a user'saccount by the user. Based on that comparison, an interceding party mayadvise the user not to make the purchase if the purchase amount wouldexceed a budget limitation or other constraint. The interceding partycould help the user, in real time with respect to an attempted purchase,to make sound decisions even with respect to relatively small items suchas bottle of water, cup of coffee, etc., which may add up quickly if auser has a limited monthly spending budget. The interceding party canalso use the supplemental data channel to send real time advertisements,recommendations, and/or other information regarding savingsopportunities, such as an offer to move a certain amount (e.g., anadditional two dollars) to savings along with the transaction.

In some instances, the interceding party may be able to stop the userfrom making a purchase (e.g., block the transaction). Alternatively, thesupplemental data layer may be used to provide information to the userafter the transaction, such as advice to avoid such purchases in thefuture. The supplemental data layer may also be used to provide realtime recommendations to the user to suggest moving money betweenaccounts, for example, from a checking account to a savings account.Such recommendations may be provided to help the user save if they haveextra money in a spending account in a particular month.

If a transaction fails due to insufficient funds in the user's account,an entity can detect that shortfall and use it as an opportunity tooffer the user a (e.g., low interest and/or short term) loan to coverthe shortfall. In such instances, an interceding entity may offer realtime advice or counseling as described above, and/or initiate a fundstransfer from another account to cover the shortfall (e.g., with userpermission). An entity may also provide a real time service so that theuser with the shortfall can ask another user for a transfer, e.g., as aperson-to-person loan or gift. The user may specify, in real time, whichaccount to use to process the transaction, or open another account(e.g., a virtual credit card account) in real time in response to atransaction. These actions may provide real time overdraft protectionfor the user, for each detected transaction. Moreover, through loansharing, the user may be offered a loan that has multiple lendersinstead of an individual lender. In these examples, the information maybe conveyed over the supplement data layer in real time with respect tofunds transfers performed over the transaction data layer.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram 400 of an example process for collectingand analyzing data sent over a supplemental data layer, according toimplementations of the present disclosure. Operations of the process maybe performed by software module(s) executing on one or more of the userdevice 104(1), the user device 104(2), the institutional serverdevice(s) 112(1), the institutional server device(s) 112(2), the thirdparty device(s) 114, and/or elsewhere.

A transaction is detected (402), such as a transaction performed overthe transaction data layer of the channel. Data that is transmitted overthe supplemental data layer (e.g., in real time with respect to thetransaction), is collected (404). The data is analyzed (406) and, basedon the analysis, one or more actions may be performed (408).

In some implementations, the supplemental data that is communicated inreal time with respect to a transaction may be collected and analyzed todetermine various actions that may be performed. In some instances, theanalysis is performed in real time with respect to the transaction.Alternatively, the data may be collected and stored in real time, andanalyzed later. In some instances, the supplemental data may becollected and analyzed for a single transaction. In some instances, thesupplemental data for multiple transactions may be collected andanalyzed as aggregate data. The analysis of individual data and/oraggregate data may be performed to identify possible fraud, criminalactivity, or other types of malfeasance. In some implementations, theaggregate data may be analyzed to identify trends with regarding topurchases made among a population of users, and such information may beused for marketing or other purposes.

Implementations support the use of the supplemental data layer in otherscenarios in addition to the examples described above. Such scenariosinclude, but are not limited to, the following:

Additional information may be exchanged with merchants at a POSterminal, where such information is communicated over the supplementaldata layer.

A third party entity may analyze the supplement data to determinepossible fraud, and such fraud data may be shared with merchants orother entities using the supplemental data layer.

Based on detected purchase(s) over the channel, an entity can use thesupplemental data layer to offer preferred status, points, rewards,discounts, and/or other benefits to a user.

Advertisements and/or other messages could be sent to the user using thesupplemental data layer. Such advertisements could be context-based,based on the detected purchase. For example, on detecting a transactionto purchase item X, the supplemental data layer may be used tocommunicate, to the purchaser, an offer to purchase item Y, based on adetermination that purchasers of item X exhibit a high likelihood ofpurchasing item Y.

The channel, with the supplemental data layer, may be employed tofacilitate bill splitting between multiple users (e.g., roommates payinga utility bill, diners splitting a bill, etc.). Such bill splitting maybe performed over a period of time, such as leveling out a monthlyutility bill by setting aside some funds per paycheck, where the billmay be higher in some months and lower in other months.

The channel may be used to provide certified funds in instances wheresuch a certification is called for in real time with respect to apurchase, such as during an auction for real property, vehicles,artwork, and/or other items. The channel may also be used to providecertified funds in other instances where timeliness is appropriate, suchas paying bail, paying bills that are late (or almost late), makingpayments to prevent repossession of property, credit payoffs, and soforth.

FIG. 5 depicts an example computing system, according to implementationsof the present disclosure. The system 500 may be used for any of theoperations described with respect to the various implementationsdiscussed herein. For example, the system 500 may be included, at leastin part, in one or more of the device(s) 104(1), 104(2), 112(1), 112(2),and/or 114, and/or other computing device(s) or system(s) describedherein. The system 500 may include one or more processors 510, a memory520, one or more storage devices 530, and one or more input/output (I/O)devices 550 controllable via one or more I/O interfaces 540. The variouscomponents 510, 520, 530, 540, or 550 may be interconnected via at leastone system bus 560, which may enable the transfer of data between thevarious modules and components of the system 500.

The processor(s) 510 may be configured to process instructions forexecution within the system 500. The processor(s) 510 may includesingle-threaded processor(s), multi-threaded processor(s), or both. Theprocessor(s) 510 may be configured to process instructions stored in thememory 520 or on the storage device(s) 530. For example, theprocessor(s) 510 may execute instructions for the various softwaremodule(s) described herein. The processor(s) 510 may includehardware-based processor(s) each including one or more cores. Theprocessor(s) 510 may include general purpose processor(s), specialpurpose processor(s), or both.

The memory 520 may store information within the system 500. In someimplementations, the memory 520 includes one or more computer-readablemedia. The memory 520 may include any number of volatile memory units,any number of non-volatile memory units, or both volatile andnon-volatile memory units. The memory 520 may include read-only memory,random access memory, or both. In some examples, the memory 520 may beemployed as active or physical memory by one or more executing softwaremodules.

The storage device(s) 530 may be configured to provide (e.g.,persistent) mass storage for the system 500. In some implementations,the storage device(s) 530 may include one or more computer-readablemedia. For example, the storage device(s) 530 may include a floppy diskdevice, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device.The storage device(s) 530 may include read-only memory, random accessmemory, or both. The storage device(s) 530 may include one or more of aninternal hard drive, an external hard drive, or a removable drive.

One or both of the memory 520 or the storage device(s) 530 may includeone or more computer-readable storage media (CRSM). The CRSM may includeone or more of an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium,an optical storage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, a quantumstorage medium, a mechanical computer storage medium, and so forth. TheCRSM may provide storage of computer-readable instructions describingdata structures, processes, applications, programs, other modules, orother data for the operation of the system 500. In some implementations,the CRSM may include a data store that provides storage ofcomputer-readable instructions or other information in a non-transitoryformat. The CRSM may be incorporated into the system 500 or may beexternal with respect to the system 500. The CRSM may include read-onlymemory, random access memory, or both. One or more CRSM suitable fortangibly embodying computer program instructions and data may includeany type of non-volatile memory, including but not limited to:semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples,the processor(s) 510 and the memory 520 may be supplemented by, orincorporated into, one or more application-specific integrated circuits(ASICs).

The system 500 may include one or more I/O devices 550. The I/Odevice(s) 550 may include one or more input devices such as a keyboard,a mouse, a pen, a game controller, a touch input device, an audio inputdevice (e.g., a microphone), a gestural input device, a haptic inputdevice, an image or video capture device (e.g., a camera), or otherdevices. In some examples, the I/O device(s) 550 may also include one ormore output devices such as a display, LED(s), an audio output device(e.g., a speaker), a printer, a haptic output device, and so forth. TheI/O device(s) 550 may be physically incorporated in one or morecomputing devices of the system 500, or may be external with respect toone or more computing devices of the system 500.

The system 500 may include one or more I/O interfaces 540 to enablecomponents or modules of the system 500 to control, interface with, orotherwise communicate with the I/O device(s) 550. The I/O interface(s)540 may enable information to be transferred in or out of the system500, or between components of the system 500, through serialcommunication, parallel communication, or other types of communication.For example, the I/O interface(s) 540 may comply with a version of theRS-232 standard for serial ports, or with a version of the IEEE 1284standard for parallel ports. As another example, the I/O interface(s)540 may be configured to provide a connection over Universal Serial Bus(USB) or Ethernet. In some examples, the I/O interface(s) 540 may beconfigured to provide a serial connection that is compliant with aversion of the IEEE 1394 standard.

The I/O interface(s) 540 may also include one or more network interfacesthat enable communications between computing devices in the system 500,or between the system 500 and other network-connected computing systems.The network interface(s) may include one or more network interfacecontrollers (NICs) or other types of transceiver devices configured tosend and receive communications over one or more communication networksusing any network protocol.

Computing devices of the system 500 may communicate with one another, orwith other computing devices, using one or more communication networks.Such communication networks may include public networks such as theinternet, private networks such as an institutional or personalintranet, or any combination of private and public networks. Thecommunication networks may include any type of wired or wirelessnetwork, including but not limited to local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs), wireless WANs (WWANs), wireless LANs (WLANs),mobile communications networks (e.g., 3G, 4G, Edge, etc.), and so forth.In some implementations, the communications between computing devicesmay be encrypted or otherwise secured. For example, communications mayemploy one or more public or private cryptographic keys, ciphers,digital certificates, or other credentials supported by a securityprotocol, such as any version of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or theTransport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.

The system 500 may include any number of computing devices of any type.The computing device(s) may include, but are not limited to: a personalcomputer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, animplanted computer, a mobile gaming device, an electronic book reader,an automotive computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, anotebook computer, a game console, a home entertainment device, anetwork computer, a server computer, a mainframe computer, a distributedcomputing device (e.g., a cloud computing device), a microcomputer, asystem on a chip (SoC), a system in a package (SiP), and so forth.Although examples herein may describe computing device(s) as physicaldevice(s), implementations are not so limited. In some examples, acomputing device may include one or more of a virtual computingenvironment, a hypervisor, an emulation, or a virtual machine executingon one or more physical computing devices. In some examples, two or morecomputing devices may include a cluster, cloud, farm, or other groupingof multiple devices that coordinate operations to provide loadbalancing, failover support, parallel processing capabilities, sharedstorage resources, shared networking capabilities, or other aspects.

Implementations and all of the functional operations described in thisspecification may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, or incomputer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structuresdisclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or incombinations of one or more of them. Implementations may be realized asone or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules ofcomputer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium forexecution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.The computer readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, amachine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition ofmatter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combinationof one or more of them. The term “computing system” encompasses allapparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by wayof example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processorsor computers. The apparatus may include, in addition to hardware, codethat creates an execution environment for the computer program inquestion, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocolstack, a database management system, an operating system, or acombination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is anartificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical,optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encodeinformation for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) may be written in any appropriate form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, andit may be deployed in any appropriate form, including as a standaloneprogram or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitablefor use in a computing environment. A computer program does notnecessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program may bestored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g.,one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a singlefile dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinatedfiles (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, orportions of code). A computer program may be deployed to be executed onone computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification may beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows may also be performedby, and apparatus may also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any appropriate kind of digital computer.Generally, a processor may receive instructions and data from a readonly memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computercan include a processor for performing instructions and one or morememory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computermay also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from ortransfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storingdata, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However,a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer may beembedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System(GPS) receiver, to name just a few. Computer readable media suitable forstoring computer program instructions and data include all forms ofnon-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations may be realizedon a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) orLCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to theuser and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball,by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds ofdevices may be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; forexample, feedback provided to the user may be any appropriate form ofsensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactilefeedback; and input from the user may be received in any appropriateform, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Implementations may be realized in a computing system that includes aback end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes amiddleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes afront end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a web browser through which a user may interact with animplementation, or any appropriate combination of one or more such backend, middleware, or front end components. The components of the systemmay be interconnected by any appropriate form or medium of digital datacommunication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communicationnetworks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network(“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

The computing system may include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what maybe claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific toparticular implementations. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate implementations may also beimplemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely,various features that are described in the context of a singleimplementation may also be implemented in multiple implementationsseparately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, althoughfeatures may be described above as acting in certain combinations andeven initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimedcombination may in some examples be excised from the combination, andthe claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination orvariation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the implementations described above should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and itshould be understood that the described program components and systemsmay generally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, various formsof the flows shown above may be used, with steps re-ordered, added, orremoved. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by at least oneprocessor, the method comprising: detecting, by the at least oneprocessor, transaction data, the transaction data: representing apayment to be made for a vehicle service provided to a vehicle of auser; and transmitted, over at least one network, using a transactiondata layer of a communication channel that provides the transaction datalayer and a supplemental data layer; accessing, by the at least oneprocessor, the transaction data; processing, using the supplemental datalayer, data representing an insurance claim in real time in response todetecting the transaction data; processing, using the supplemental datalayer, data representing a micro-loan in real time in response todetecting the transaction data; based on processing data representingthe insurance claim and processing data representing the micro-loan thattrigger the payment for the vehicle service, determining, by the atleast one processor, whether a number of maintenance events associatedwith the vehicle exceeds a threshold number; in response to adetermination that the number of maintenance events associated with thevehicle exceeds the threshold number, generating, by the at least oneprocessor, supplemental data comprising information specifying adiscount on insurance for the vehicle; and transmitting, by the at leastone processor, to a device of the user, the supplemental data comprisinginformation specifying the discount on insurance using the supplementaldata layer of the communication channel, wherein transmitting thesupplemental data comprising the discount on insurance comprises:transmitting the discount on insurance in real time in response todetecting the transaction data.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thegenerating of the supplemental data is performed in real time inresponse to detecting the transaction data.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein: the supplemental data comprises additional informationspecifying a title to the vehicle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein:the supplemental data comprises additional information specifying anoffer to the user to open an account.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe supplemental data comprises additional information specifying arequest for a title to the vehicle from at least one third party.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: establishing, by the at least oneprocessor, an interactive session between the user and at least onethird party using the supplemental data layer of the communicationchannel; wherein the supplemental data is transmitted to the user duringthe interactive session.
 7. A system comprising: at least one processor;and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, thememory storing instructions which, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to perform operations comprising: detecting transaction data,the transaction data: representing a payment to be made for a vehicleservice provided to a vehicle of a user; and transmitted, over at leastone network, using a transaction data layer of a communication channelthat provides the transaction data layer and a supplemental data layer;accessing, by the at least one processor, the transaction data;processing, using the supplemental data layer, data representing aninsurance claim in real time in response to detecting the transactiondata; processing, using the supplemental data layer, data representing amicro-loan in real time in response to detecting the transaction data;based on processing data representing the insurance claim and processingdata representing the micro-loan that trigger the payment for thevehicle service, determining, by the at least one processor, whether anumber of maintenance events associated with the vehicle exceeds athreshold number; in response to a determination that the number ofmaintenance events associated with the vehicle exceeds the thresholdnumber, generating, by the at least one processor, supplemental datacomprising information specifying a discount on insurance for thevehicle; and transmitting to a device of the user, the supplemental datacomprising information specifying the discount on insurance using thesupplemental data layer of the communication channel, whereintransmitting the supplemental data comprising the discount on insurancecomprises: transmitting the discount on insurance in real time inresponse to detecting the transaction data.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the generating of the supplemental data is performed in realtime in response to detecting the transaction data.
 9. The system ofclaim 7, wherein: the supplemental data comprises additional informationspecifying a title to the vehicle.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein:the supplemental data includes additional information specifying anoffer to the user to open an account.
 11. The system of claim 7, whereinthe supplemental data comprises additional information specifying arequest for a title to the vehicle from at least one third party. 12.The system of claim 7, the operations further comprising: establishingan interactive session between the user and at least one third partyusing the supplemental data layer of the communication channel; whereinthe supplemental data is transmitted to the user during the interactivesession.
 13. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediastoring instructions which, when executed, cause at least one processorto perform operations comprising: detecting transaction data, thetransaction data: representing a payment to be made for a vehicleservice provided to a vehicle of a user; and transmitted, over at leastone network, using a transaction data layer of a communication channelthat provides the transaction data layer and a supplemental data layer;accessing, by the at least one processor, the transaction data;processing, using the supplemental data layer, data representing aninsurance claim in real time in response to detecting the transactiondata; processing, using the supplemental data layer, data representing amicro-loan in real time in response to detecting the transaction data;based on processing data representing the insurance claim and processingdata representing the micro-loan that trigger the payment for thevehicle service, determining, by the at least one processor, whether anumber of maintenance events associated with the vehicle exceeds athreshold number; in response to a determination that the number ofmaintenance events associated with the vehicle exceeds the thresholdnumber, generating, by the at least one processor, supplemental datacomprising information specifying a discount on insurance for thevehicle; and transmitting to a device of the user, the supplemental datacomprising information specifying the discount on insurance using thesupplemental data layer of the communication channel, whereintransmitting the supplemental data comprising the discount on insurancecomprises: transmitting the discount on insurance in real time inresponse to detecting the transaction data.
 14. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein thegenerating of the supplemental data is performed in real time inresponse to detecting the transaction data.
 15. The one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein: thesupplemental data comprises additional information specifying a title tothe vehicle.
 16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage media of claim 13, wherein: the supplemental data includesadditional information specifying an offer to the user to open anaccount.
 17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia of claim 13, wherein the supplemental data comprises additionalinformation specifying a request for a title to the vehicle from atleast one third party.